Bears trade CB Dante Wesley to Patriots for undisclosed draft pick

[captain stone]

Re: Old pre-draft bio

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/nfl/2002draft/cbs/dantewesley.htm

Wow; that's a very positive write-up. I wonder if those reports were done by NFLDraftScout, who has done the drafts for USAToday/Sports Weekly for awhile now.

Here's another:

http://archive.profootballweekly.com/content/archives2001/draft_2001/printout8_041302.asp#Safeties

A 5.32 overall grade by PFW has traditionally meant a 5th-round ranking.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Reiss says it's a conditional 7th. No info on whether the condition is making the roster (whick would be the likely assumption) or even making it onto the field.

I wish you hadn't posted that. You know how ballistic folks here go when we trade away a franchise building 7th round pick (e.g. the blizzard of Welker recrimination posts).

 

[AzPatsFan]

Leave it to Belichick to penetrate to the heart of the matter.

Despite good kicking and fair punting, and even good PR and KOs, the Pats ST coverage units were really below standard last year.

It was a Team weakness.

After stocking up on WRs and adjusting the RBs, they sat back to see what the coverage ST looked like. Then they lost Chad Scott.

So Bill and Scott go out and get a good ST CB/SS/ (Fifth string coverage S/LB?). Samuel's absence is restraining the use of Hobbs and Gay, both good ST players. The ST coverage teams get Mel Mitichell back, found Willie Andrews and Pierre Woods last year, will add Wesly and Merriweather, perhaps Lua, while losing Scott, probably Mays, Bam and ... the big surprise Larry Izzo.

When our ST coverage was superb, Seeley had more reserve DBs playing STs than reserve LBs. As a consequence they were a wee bit faster, at the cost of a little size.

Return with us now to the thrilling days of ... Jerod Cherry and company ! Heigh, ho Silver!

 

[captain stone]

The ST coverage teams get Mel Mitichell back, found Willie Andrews and Pierre Woods last year, will add Wesly and Merriweather, perhaps Lua, while losing Scott, probably Mays, Bam and ... the big surprise Larry Izzo.

When our ST coverage was superb, Seeley had more reserve DBs playing STs than reserve LBs. As a consequence they were a wee bit faster, at the cost of a little size.

Return with us now to the thrilling days of ... Jerod Cherry and company ! Heigh, ho Silver!

I also would prefer more DBs (who must also play DB) and fewer LBs on coverage. Barring injuries, I would like to see 9 LBs, maximum, and 10 DBs, minimum, on the 53.

If we ever hope to develop our own ILBs, then Izzo's roster spot may eventually have to be sacrificed. His place on the 53 should be by no means guaranteed.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

...(if Hawkins actually plays ST).

A bit, he tied for first place in Special Teams' tackles last season.

 

[mtbykr]

Interesting article:
http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=1016101

Wesley is anxious to see exactly how Patriots coach Bill Belichick motivates.

“We all used to sit back and wonder what’s the secret, what he’s telling them in meetings to get those guys so fired up and happy to be here,” Wesley said. “Now I’m part of it, so I’m just trying to sit back and get it all down.”

 

[Canada's #1 Pats Fan]

If we ever hope to develop our own ILBs, then Izzo's roster spot may eventually have to be sacrificed. His place on the 53 should be by no means guaranteed.

Exactly what I have been thinking all along. Not that they are paying him a lot, but I would rather see a guy with lots of upside in that role then one who has at best 2 years left. But the experience he brings will definitely be a factor

 

[mtbykr]

Exactly what I have been thinking all along. Not that they are paying him a lot, but I would rather see a guy with lots of upside in that role then one who has at best 2 years left. But the experience he brings will definitely be a factor

I don't think anybody's spot is guaranteed...we can have faith in BB to always make the tough and best choice for the team. With that said though Izzo has done very well in camp and is a captain, so i don't see him moving on anytime too soon

 

[RobertWeathers]

Leave it to Belichick to penetrate to the heart of the matter.

Despite good kicking and fair punting, and even good PR and KOs, the Pats ST coverage units were really below standard last year.

It was a Team weakness.

After stocking up on WRs and adjusting the RBs, they sat back to see what the coverage ST looked like. Then they lost Chad Scott.

So Bill and Scott go out and get a good ST CB/SS/ (Fifth string coverage S/LB?). Samuel's absence is restraining the use of Hobbs and Gay, both good ST players. The ST coverage teams get Mel Mitichell back, found Willie Andrews and Pierre Woods last year, will add Wesly and Merriweather, perhaps Lua, while losing Scott, probably Mays, Bam and ... the big surprise Larry Izzo.

When our ST coverage was superb, Seeley had more reserve DBs playing STs than reserve LBs. As a consequence they were a wee bit faster, at the cost of a little size.

Return with us now to the thrilling days of ... Jerod Cherry and company ! Heigh, ho Silver!

In 2006, we were 23rd in the NFL in ST yardage allowed. That stinks

 

[patpatriot]

A bit, he tied for first place in Special Teams' tackles last season.

Can you say how many that was?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Can you say how many that was?

He and Willie Andrews both had 15, though Artrel had more solo tackles, a FF, and a FR.